Eliminate theft of our prized posessions

[gvzook]

Just something I thought I might put up on this forum. I may get slagged for it though.

Quite frankly we shouldnt need an area purely for stolen vehicles, parts etc, this sort of stuff shouldnt happen.

One piece of advise that I have for everyone reading this, and to stop the low life, scum bag pieces of s$%t who steal from us hard working people is for the general public to stop buying stolen property from these poor excuses for humans.

I'm sure at some stage most people have bought a stolen item as its come at a bargain price, but on the same token most of us have probably had something stolen from ourselves too.

Morale of the story, dont buy stolen goods, as we are only keeping the market thriving for these scumbags therefore increasing the risk of something of our own being stolen and sold cheap to benefit other people.

[diehard]

Good luck with that....stop by and say hello when you come back to reality :thumb:

I dont think telling people not to buy stolen goods will stop the theifs...in a perfect world, it would, but in reality, its never gonna happen.

[toy yoda]

Hey dude,

Some merit in what you said, about buying hot items, but as long as we have Crime (cash) convertors and places like people can turn over hot stuff way to simply, and if you buy from cashies what are the odds u bought something stolen before!

[gvzook]

I havent ever bought anything from cash convertors. Im not saying every forum reader has to agree with me, but if its got SOME merit then thats all i hoped to achieve by saying what I said.

Does ANYONE agree that if no one bought stolen items it may stop people from stealing to sell onto someone else.

[toy yoda]

I havent ever bought anything from cash convertors. Im not saying every forum reader has to agree with me, but if its got SOME merit then thats all i hoped to achieve by saying what I said.

Does ANYONE agree that if no one bought stolen items it may stop people from stealing to sell onto someone else.

I agree that it could help to reduce it yes. There certainly are people who steal for say "pre ordered items" if people wont buy certain items then for sure it will help to cut theft,

[wado]

It's pretty hard to tell if you buying stolen goods when you buy second hand though.

[Trojan]

Does ANYONE agree that if no one bought stolen items it may stop people from stealing to sell onto someone else.

May stop some, but it wouldn't stop all.

Things like Driving Lights have no markings such as serial numbers. If a set were stolen and then sold second hand, aslong as they were sold at a reasonable price, no one would be any wiser.

But whose to say, just because something is cheap, that it's been stolen or should raise suspicion. I've given away stuff, or sold stuff for a carton or $50 that i could have got quite a few hundred dollars for, but chose to go the quick and cheap option just to get rid of the stuff as i had no use for it and was wasting space.

I could steal a dozen of the same item, sell them at a reasonable price and just use the excuse "have no use for it anymore". Could have advertised as 1 item and everytime someone asked "yer mate, i still have it" even though i may have sold 3 or 4.

Unless it's something that has a decent identifying mark such as a serial number, then "not buying stolen goods" is not going to stop it, because plenty of people buy the stuff without even being aware. You're just never going to know 100% when buying second hand if it was stolen.

Then there are those that steal for their own personal usage.

[gvzook]

May stop some, but it wouldn't stop all.

Things like Driving Lights have no markings such as serial numbers. If a set were stolen and then sold second hand, aslong as they were sold at a reasonable price, no one would be any wiser.

But whose to say, just because something is cheap, that it's been stolen or should raise suspicion. I've given away stuff, or sold stuff for a carton or $50 that i could have got quite a few hundred dollars for, but chose to go the quick and cheap option just to get rid of the stuff as i had no use for it and was wasting space.

I could steal a dozen of the same item, sell them at a reasonable price and just use the excuse "have no use for it anymore". Could have advertised as 1 item and everytime someone asked "yer mate, i still have it" even though i may have sold 3 or 4.

Unless it's something that has a decent identifying mark such as a serial number, then "not buying stolen goods" is not going to stop it, because plenty of people buy the stuff without even being aware. You're just never going to know 100% when buying second hand if it was stolen.

Then there are those that steal for their own personal usage.

Totally totally agree that it wont stop all. So when a bloke with trackmarks up his arms who is stumbling all over the place looking over his shoulder in a rush trying to sell a $500 cd player for $50 walks into my work i shouldnt presume its stolen?

Thats all my point is getting at. You just feed peoples addictions.

[Crunch]

GVzook, first up dude, stop laying into people because they didn't give you the reply you were after. Mod or not, that is THEIR opinion. (Deja Vu anyone?) Firing up like that is only going to get the thread locked, you banned and/or leave you looking like an idiot (to put it nicely).

Yes, not buying hot items will reduce the market for theft. Last time I checked though, there was no checkbox on Ebay that reads "Is this item stolen?". You don't know the history of an item, and if it's cheap, yes the will get sold quickly. Not everyone can afford to buy off the shelf, so the next best thing is second hand. Human nature is to look for a bargain, so if it's cheap, you'll buy it!

If old mate with no shoes comes up to you on the street and offers you a winch for $50, then yeah, something's not right. But in reality, you just don't know.

The best thing we can all do is to keep an eye on forums like this one, and if you see something that looks like something that someone's posted on here, then tell them as soon as you can!

[woolgoolgaoffroad]

I have sold stacks of stuff to cash converters, ( does that mean i am a theif !!!),
for several reasons we took stuff there, were moving, didnt need them and needed cash in a hurry. I never stole anything that i took there.
But dont cash converters set the price on things ?
I ocassionally have a peek in the shop here in town, but honestly they are not cheap anymore.
My2c worth

[HRT01]

Anyone want a real cheap camera??

[toy yoda]

I should have said that some thiefs use cashies...........
...............i wasnt trying to imply that people who sell to cashies are thieves, sorry about that woolgooloffroad.
This thread has turned a little rough pretty quickly hasn't it!..lol

[Trojan]

Totally totally agree that it wont stop all. So when a bloke with trackmarks up his arms who is stumbling all over the place looking over his shoulder in a rush trying to sell a $500 cd player for $50 walks into my work i shouldnt presume its stolen?

No you shouldn't presume, it's called discrimination. You have established most of your thoughts from his looks. Be suspicious, be cautious, of course you should. But whose to say the next guy who walks in with the same product, who is well presented and acting in a calm manor who wants $300 for the same item isn't truelly the one who is flogging off stolen goods.

[Trojan]

Anyone want a real cheap camera??

What kind? How much??? :D

[Liam@bbm]

I'll weigh in here (cause I havn't offended anyone yet today)
Stop buying stolen stuff is only part of the problem, we get offered dubiuos stuff ocasionally, and usually take the persons details before politely declining- they may be legit but next time it might be my junk some lowlife is hocking.
Cash converters aint cheap, they dont pay much, so a you'd have to assume that a fair percentage is either stolen or was so crap the owner was happy to ditch it- either way I dont want it.
I don't think ebay has all that much dodgy stuff due to the nature of the delayed sale-it's not like offereing something in a pub and taking off.
Making things hard for thieves is the owners responsibility-You make it tempting, someone will do the wrong thing eventually, stop leaving valaubles in view is a start.

We had an attempted ram raid at BBM a couple of years ago, measures were in place to stop them, but some mother's uninsured vehicle was trashed in the attempt.
We also had some ARB lockers stolen- well thats what the thieves thought- would love to have seen their faces when they found the sealed boxes of hilux lockers actually contained housebricks.

[HRT01]

We also had some ARB lockers stolen- well thats what the thieves thought- would love to have seen their faces when they found the sealed boxes of hilux lockers actually contained housebricks.

hehehe........Suckers!

[toy yoda]

We had an attempted ram raid at BBM a couple of years ago, measures were in place to stop them, but some mother's uninsured vehicle was trashed in the attempt.
We also had some ARB lockers stolen- well thats what the thieves thought- would love to have seen their faces when they found the sealed boxes of hilux lockers actually contained housebricks.

priceless!!!!

[woolgoolgaoffroad]

I should have said that some thiefs use cashies...........
...............i wasnt trying to imply that people who sell to cashies are thieves, sorry about that woolgooloffroad.


:thumb: :D :thumb:

[Hotwheels]

Hi guys i have an idea that might sort out this problem and stop people from getting up each other "It is as simple as going and buying a cheap engraver and then putting an ID number or something similar that means something to you and no one else then when it is stolen you can post the details on this forum and we can all watch for this item and when you report it to the police you let them know about the engraved detail so that they may be able to ID it easier for you if it is spotted also let the secound hand places know about it then if it turns up they will report it to the police for you" but these things still happen to all of use.

[fullmetaljacket]

gvzook, your heart is in the right place regarding your 1st post, if everyone had the same morale as you theft would be a thing of the past.

In reality wherever there are good honest people, there will allways be dishonest scumbags that feel they have a right to someone elses posessions.

All we can do is lookout for ourselves and each-other to try to reduce theft or try to recover property.

[TheDato]

gvzook, your heart is in the right place regarding your 1st post, if everyone had the same morale as you theft would be a thing of the past.

In reality wherever there are good honest people, there will allways be dishonest scumbags that feel they have a right to someone elses posessions.

All we can do is lookout for ourselves and each-other to try to reduce theft or try to recover property.


Yes indeed. We all work hard to accumulate what we have. Most are happy to share and to help; most are decent towards their fellow man. It comes as a slap in the face when one gets fuc&ed (and not in a good way).
I agree with the sentiment. If it looks suspicious then it likely is; walk away from the deal.
Theft is just plain wrong. That sounds trite but it's true. Unfortunately some within our society have no scruples.

Cheers
Muz

[boof]

Ok guys I have cleaned this up, can we get over the 2 yr old rubbish and keep it on topic. Remember if you start a thread not everyone may agree with you ;)

[4bdan]

Ok guys I have cleaned this up, can we get over the 2 yr old rubbish and keep it on topic. Remember if you start a thread not everyone may agree with you ;)


MAN..... I like reading the agro stuff....Always make me chuckle...
I don't condone buying goods that you KNOW are stolen, but if you happen to buy something 2nd hand that's not ridiculously cheap and obvious, then you can't really put a stop to buying stolen goods can you....
Most people are always looking to save a bit of cash, which is why 2nd hands goods sell pretty easily...

[DoctorI]

Hi All
As Hotwhels said, buy a cheap engraver and engrave some ID on every item.
If you have ever been involved in Neighbourhood Watch you will know that the best ID to put on your stuff is your drivers licence number preceded with your state initials ie S for South Aus, Q for Queensland etc.
When you legitimately sell stuff that is engraved with a drivers licence number do not attempt to erase it because that will make people suspicious that it is stolen just engrave a single line through it so it can still be read and the police can contact you to ask if you previously owned it. The new owner should then engrave their drivers licence number on the item.
If you move interstate and change drivers licence number, don't worry, your licence number from your previous state will always be associated with you to the extent that if you move back to that state you return to the same licence number. I know, because I've done it twice now -- out of SA and back and out of NT and back.
I hope this helps my fellow forumites.
Doctor I

[stampy4x4]

Spray-on data dots, engraving and window etching with Vin/chassis number work wonders as deterents.

[ryanhanslo]

We had an attempted ram raid at BBM a couple of years ago, measures were in place to stop them, but some mother's uninsured vehicle was trashed in the attempt.
We also had some ARB lockers stolen- well thats what the thieves thought- would love to have seen their faces when they found the sealed boxes of hilux lockers actually contained housebricks.


HA HA HA HA LOVE IT!!

[Patrolling Paddy]

We had an attempted ram raid at BBM a couple of years ago, measures were in place to stop them, but some mother's uninsured vehicle was trashed in the attempt.
We also had some ARB lockers stolen- well thats what the thieves thought- would love to have seen their faces when they found the sealed boxes of hilux lockers actually contained housebricks.

So did anyone ever try to exchange some house bricks for a new locker??

[stets]

the problem with identifying your goods by way of engravings makes it difficult for the insurer to replace it, say for example thieves take your uhf and hock it at cashies, you find it through identification, then the police confiscate it, all this time the insurance company is holding out on payment. then you find out that the item will be returned, it comes back damaged, (might just be a lost mounting screw), then you have to pay some one to reinstall it or repair it on most situations, the insurance companies will only replace non functioning returned stolen goods, now aint that a bummer

[chikoroll]

anyone want some really cheap tyres with rims?

[mick85]

this mite sound odd, but in my old vc commodore being an early model, security wasnt that great even tho it had alarm, locks, dark tint etc etc, if someone wants something be it the vehicle, contents etc they will steal it. i installed the gear myself but used all factory mounts etc. id rather someone pinch it and still have my immaculate gmh dash intact rather than it smashed to remove a head unit...much cheaper to replace a quarter window than trying to chase down a whole dash facia. thats the way it is unfortunately..

worst bit was it was stolen from the bottom of my mates driveway while we were putting one in his car :( they stole the cd player, cd's, my thongs!, but left my oakleys in the back seat worth more than the cd player!

they were good thongs!

[Xav-mc]

Anyone want a real cheap camera??

hahahahaha

[steve80]

this mite sound odd, but in my old vc commodore being an early model, security wasnt that great even tho it had alarm, locks, dark tint etc etc, if someone wants something be it the vehicle, contents etc they will steal it. i installed the gear myself but used all factory mounts etc. id rather someone pinch it and still have my immaculate gmh dash intact rather than it smashed to remove a head unit...much cheaper to replace a quarter window than trying to chase down a whole dash facia. thats the way it is unfortunately..

worst bit was it was stolen from the bottom of my mates driveway while we were putting one in his car :( they stole the cd player, cd's, my thongs!, but left my oakleys in the back seat worth more than the cd player!

they were good thongs!

VCs mate good car in their day i had one years ago and the stereo was knocked off at train station but i have to say he was good about it even took the tape out and put it back in its case never broke anything very pro. Unlike (about 2 years later) the filthy animal at northland shopping centre who destroyed the door lock and paintwork smashed the dash to get it out, emptied the ashtray over the seats and console, took everything that was in the car and left a coughed up reminder on the console mate i was flipping furious had i caught him would have been jailtime for me. Lastly 1 year later scumbags knocked my 6x4 trailer that i had just finished restoring absolutely everything was new on it complete with overhead racks it was a pearler i can only hope that what comes around goes around!

[john conolan]

Don't just engrave any thing on your property, engrave your drivers licence number with a V for Vic or W for WA in front. I investgate thefts of motor vehicles on behalf of the insurers. I like the concept of a fuel lock as opposed to an immobiliser, why not do both? It is time that you enthusiasts who spend absolute squillions on bits and pieces on your vehicle like wheels and tyres and suspension plus plus plus stopped worrying about can I get a taller aerial and mundane stuff and replaced worn ignition locks and keys, got serious about security, don't leave your keys on the floor, tell your insurers what accessories you have fitted and started getting serious about security. Pre 2000 vehicle are the most likely to be stolen. No security. The last three 4WD thefts I have investigated all involved vehicles who had no security features but the owners had spent absolute squillions (well thousands) on bits and pieces and they got nothing near it on a pay out figure.
Think about it. There will always be thieves, you have to be a bit smarter than them.

[rastus]

I'm with fullmetaljacket on this one. The 4x4 scene is like a big family, we look out for one another. The idea behind the "stolen" items thread is if some dodgey bastard tries to sell you someone else's hard earned treasure then do the right thing.
Locks only keep out honest people.

Regards

rastus